Anyone who knows anything about music knows that it is not easy. Music takes time, practice, and energy that you never even thought you could exhibit. I went into college as a music major, aware of the challenges I would be facing, but I don't think anyone can be fully prepared for just how difficult the challenges will be. Here is what I've learned from being a music major for a month.
1. You Get Screwed Over With Credits
While most other majors are taking four or five classes per semester and carrying around fifteen credits, music majors are over here taking at least seven per semester (a lot more if you are music ed) and carrying the bare minimum of credits to be considered a full time student. Why is this, you ask? You see, music credits are normally only half a credit or one credit. Yes, that's right. You take a full class loaded with work and only get half a credit for it. This means in order to fulfill your graduation requirements, you have to load up on classes every single semester.
2. You Work So Hard In School To Have a Mediocre Paying Job
The first thing people will tell you (or think) when you tell them you're majoring in music is that you will make no money and should do something more practical. Well, they're probably right, but here we are, just trying to pursue our passions. Most people who major in music will end up being school teachers, and we all know how well they get paid. Putting in all of this work and schooling to live off of a teacher's salary is probably not worth it, but that's not stopping us.
3. Spending Hours Practicing
You will be forced to spend at least an hour practicing every single day. This may not seem like much, but sometimes practicing can be as mentally tiring as taking three math exams in a day. Practice rooms are also hard to come by. My roommate recently walked all the way from our dorm to the music building only to find that all of the practice rooms were taken. For me, practicing is pretty much essential to succeeding in my music classes (especially piano), but you will come across those people that will say, "I haven't practiced in like, a week. Hahaha" and are good at EVERYTHING. I can't begin to describe how annoying this is, but I've learned to remind myself of how eventually they will come across something they struggle with and will not know how to work at it. Also, practicing really does make all of the difference.
4. Getting Judged Daily
Music majors have to be able to take criticism really well. You are constantly being judged on everything and anything, whether it be by your fellow students or by your professors. You have audition after audition and after awhile, criticism really doesn't affect you anymore. This is honestly a pretty good skill to have. There will always be someone better than you, so the faster you learn the better.
5. Finding Balance
It is difficult to balance your love for music with the constant stress and demand of classes. It's so important to go back and just sing or play for fun. This is very healthy and necessary and will help you to not hate what you once loved, but finding time in between practicing for classes is challenging.
Although being a music major is incredibly difficult at times, it is important to go back and remember why you wanted to become a music major. If we didn't do it, we would spend our time regretting not becoming a music major. No matter how much we complain, we really do love it.